Magnetic attraction type motion display toy

ABSTRACT

A magnetic attraction type motion display toy includes a base having a non-ferromagnetic spacer board at the top, a see-through hollow shell covering the base, a free-flow substance contained in the enclosed space defined by the see-through hollow shell and the base, a first magnet and a second magnet respectively provided at the top and bottom sides of the non-ferromagnetic spacer board for synchronous rotation by an external driving force by means of magnetic attraction, a rotary member fastened to the first magnet at the top and supporting an ornament, and a driving device mounted in the base for rotating the second magnet to cause synchronous rotation of the rotary member with the first magnet so that rotation of the rotary member causes the free-flow substance to flow in the enclosed space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to motion display toys and more particularly, to a magnetic attraction type motion display toy that utilizes a magnetic attractive force to cause rotation of a rotary member, forcing a free-flow substance to flow in an enclosed space.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

A conventional rotation mechanism generally comprises drive member and a driven member. The driven member is directly connected to the drive member for direct rotation by the drive member. When the driven member and the drive member of a rotation mechanism are respectively set in two enclosed spaces, an axle must be used and inserted through a hole on the partition between the two enclosed spaces to connect the driven member to the drive member. To prevent leakage, a gasket may be used to seal the hole of the partition. However, when either one of the two enclosed spaces is filled with a free-flow substance (water, oil, or very fine sand), the gasket may be unable to seal the gap between the axle and the partition, and the free-flow substance may leak from the enclosed space. When a leakage occurs, rotation of the driven member may become unstable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a motion display toy with a magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism that eliminates the aforesaid problem. According to one aspect of the present invention, the magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism of the motion display toy comprises at least one first magnet, at least one second magnet attractable to the at least one first magnet and spaced from the at least one first magnet by a non-ferromagnetic spacer board, a rotary member provided at the top side of the at least one first magnet for rotation with the at least one first magnet, a driving device for rotating the at least one second magnet. During rotation of the at least one second magnet, the moment of force produced between the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet causes rotation of the at least one second magnet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the rotary member can be a fan blade that causes an axial flow to drive a free-flow substance when the rotary member is rotated with the at least one first magnet.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the driving device can be an electric or non-electric type driving device, for example, the driving device can utilize a motor or clockwork to rotate the at least one second magnet.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the non-ferromagnetic spacer board is covered with a see-through hollow shell. The see-through hollow shell defines with the non-ferromagnetic spacer board an enclosed space that accommodates a free-flow substance. The at least one first magnet and the rotary member are provided inside the enclosed space within the see-through hollow shell. The at least one second magnet and the driving device are provided below the non-ferromagnetic spacer board outside the enclosed space. During rotation of the rotary member with the at least one first magnet, an axial flow (or eddy flow) is produced to move the free-flow substance in the enclosed space. This arrangement prevents leakage of the free-flow substance, and assures smooth rotation of the rotary member during operation of the driving device.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the rotary member may be mounted with an ornament. The ornament can be the statue of a figure, animal, plant, landscape or famous landmark. Further, the free-flow substance can be water, oil, or very fine sand. When the driving device is started, the ornament is rotated with the rotary member, and the rotary member causes an axial flow (or eddy flow) to move the free-flow substance, showing a true sense of beauty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of a magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing flows of the free-flow substance.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a part of the magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing flows of the free-flow substance.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a part of the magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1˜5, a magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising at least one set of magnets 11 and 12, a non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2, a rotary member 3 (that can be a fan blade or rotary table), and a driving source 4.

The magnets 11 and 12 are respectively arranged at the top and bottom sides relative to the non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2. The magnet 11 that is disposed at the top side of the spacer board 2 works as a passive member. The magnet 12 that is disposed at the bottom side of the spacer board 2 works as an active member. Further, the magnet 12 that is disposed at the bottom side of the spacer board 2 can be driven by the driving source 4. Further, the magnet 11 that is disposed at the top side of the non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2 is fastened to the bottom side of the rotary member 3 by means of an embedding or plugging technique, or with an adhesive.

The non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2 is a thin sheet member prepared from plastics, rubber, ceramics, or any of a variety of other non-ferromagnetic materials that do not interfere with the magnetic fields of the magnets 11 and 12. The non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2 has two raised portions 21 and 22 respectively protruded from the top and bottom walls thereof and respectively kept in contact with the magnets 11 and 12 (see FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2 is formed integral with a part (e.g. the top side) of a hollow base 5.

The rotary member 3 according to this embodiment is a fan blade, having its bottom center affixed to the magnet 11. By means of magnetic attraction between the magnets 11 and 12, a moment of force is produced therebetween and the rotary member 3 is rotated with the magnetic 11 upon rotation of the magnet 12.

The driving source 4 is controllable to rotate the magnet 12. The driving source 4 can be an electric type or non-electric type driving source. According to this embodiment, the driving source 4 comprises a motor 41, a drive wheel 42 coupled to the output shaft of the motor 41, a driven wheel 43, and a transmission belt 44 coupled between the drive wheel 42 and the driven wheel 43. The magnet 12 is affixed to the driven wheel 43. When the motor 41 is started to rotate the drive wheel 42, the transmission belt 44 is driven to rotate the driven wheel 43, and therefore the magnet 12 is rotated with the driven wheel 43. The driving source 4 is not limited to the aforesaid arrangement. For example, the motor 41 can be arranged to rotate the magnet 12 directly, or it can be a mechanical device, such as clockwork.

The aforesaid magnets 11 and 12, non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2, rotary member 3 and driving source 4 are arranged together, constituting a magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism in which the magnets 11 and 12 are spaced from each other by the non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2 and respectively connected to the rotary member 3 and the driving source 4 such that rotation of the magnet 12 by the driving source 4 causes rotation of the rotary member 3 with the magnet 11 by means of magnetic attraction between the magnets 11 and 12.

According to this embodiment, the rotary member 3 is a fan blade. When the rotary member 3 is rotated with the magnet 11, the rotary member 3 causes an axial flow of air.

FIGS. 6˜9 show a magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this second embodiment, the rotary member 3 a is a rotary table having radial ribs 31 a on the top wall. When the rotary member 3 a is rotated, it causes an eddy flow.

As stated above, the driving source 4 of the magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism of the magnetic attraction type motion display toy can be of an electric type driving source or a non-electric type driving source, i.e., the driving source can use a motor, a clockwork, or any of a variety of mechanical driving sources to rotate the magnet 12 or magnets 12 a.

The magnetic attraction type motion display toy further comprises a see-through hollow shell 6 that covers the magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism. The magnet 11 is provided at the bottom side inside the see-through hollow shell 6 corresponding to the magnet 12 below. When the driving source 4 is started to rotate the magnet 12, the rotary member 3 is rotated with the magnet 11, and a person can see the motion of the device inside the see-through hollow shell 6.

Further, an ornament 7 is fastened to the rotary member 3 at the top. The ornament 7 can be a statue of a character, animal, plant, landscape or famous landmark. For example, the ornament 7 can be a Merlion (a creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish) as shown in FIG. 1, a statue of Jesus as shown in FIG. 6, a Pisces statue as shown in FIG. 10. Further, the ornament 7 can be made to have at least one flow passage 71.

A free-flow substance 8 (water, oil, or very fine sand) is sealed in the see-through hollow shell 6. A pan 9 is provided to isolate the rotary member 3 from the free-flow substance 8. The pan 9 has a plurality of perforations 91 and a barrel 92. The barrel 92 accommodates the rotary member 3, and is disposed in communication with the flow passage 71. As shown in FIG. 3, the perforated pan 9 is covered on the base 5, defining with the non-ferromagnetic spacer board 2 a free-flow substance chamber 93. When the fan blade-like rotary member 3 is rotated to cause an axial flow of air in the barrel 92, the free-flow substance 8 will fall through the perforations 91 to the inside of the free-flow substance chamber 93, and therefore the axial flow of air drives the free-flow substance out of the ornament 7 through the flow passage 71, thus simulating a spectacle of a water-fountain.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6˜9, the rotary member 3 a is a rotary table having radial ribs 31 a on the top wall. When the rotary member 3 a is rotated, it causes an eddy flow. By means of the effect of the centrifugal force of the eddy flow caused by the rotary member 3 a, the free-flow substance 8 is driven to spray over the space inside the see-through hollow shell 6. Further, the free-flow substance 8 goes through the perforations 91 a at the center area of the pan 9 a to the free-flow substance chamber 93, and is then driven out of the free-flow substance chamber 93 through the perforations 91 a at the border area of the pan 9 a by the eddy flow caused by the rotary member 3 a, generating a different spectacle of spraying of the free-flow substance 8.

The distribution of the perforations 91 or 91 a of the pan 9 or 9 a may be changed according to the desired spraying effect.

Further, the radial ribs 31 a of the rotary member 3 a in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6˜9 are narrow, elongated and smoothly arched ribs for causing an eddy flow upon rotation of the rotary member 3 a.

Further, the magnets 11 and 12 of the aforesaid first embodiment (see FIG. 4) are cylindrical magnetic rods respectively and horizontally fastened to the bottom side of the rotary member 3 and the top side of the driven wheel 43 of the driving source 4. The N and S poles of the magnets 11 and 12 interact with each other to produce a magnetic attractive force between the magnets 11 and 12.

Further, the magnets 11 a and 12 a of the aforesaid second embodiment (see FIG. 8) are grain-like magnets evenly distributed on the bottom side of the rotary member 3 and the top side of the driven wheel 43 of the driving source 4. The magnets 11 a and 12 a can be fastened to the rotary member 3 and the driven wheel 43 of the driving source 4 respectively by means of an embedding or plugging technique, or with an adhesive. The N and S poles of the magnets 11 a interact with the S and N poles of the magnets 12 a, converting the distance between the magnets 11 a and 12 a into a moment of force, and therefore a magnetic attractive force is produced between the magnets 11 a and 12 a for causing the rotary member 3 to rotate synchronously.

Further, the ornament 7 a of the aforesaid second embodiment is a simple ornament without flow passage. Alternatively, the ornament can be a rotating device or a device with light emitting means.

Further, a battery 51 is mounted inside the hollow base 5 to provide the motor 41 of the driving source 4 with the necessary working voltage. AC power adapter may be used to provide the necessary working voltage to the driving source 4.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a magnetic attraction type motion display toy in accordance with a third embodiment. According to this embodiment, the motor 41 of the driving source 4 is adapted for rotating the magnet 12 directly, and the ornament 7 has two flow passages 71.

Further, an axle bearing 94 is provided between the rotary member 3 or 3 a and the pan 9 or 9 a, and an axle 95 is supported in the axle bearing 94 and inserted through the pan 9 or 9 a and connected between the ornament 7 or 7 a and the rotary member 3 or 3 a. The axle bearing 94 is isolated from the see-through hollow shell 6, assuring smooth rotation of the rotary member 3 or 3 a and avoiding leakage. Further, the driven wheel 43 of the driving source 4 is provided with an axle bearing 431 and an axle 432, assuring smooth rotation of the driven wheel 43.

Further, the see-through hollow shell 6 is made of a transparent material and sealed to the hollow base 5 in a watertight manner. Sound and/or light generating means may be installed in the magnetic attraction type motion display toy to produce sound and lighting effects.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A motion display toy comprising a magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism, said magnetic attraction type rotation mechanism comprising: a non-ferromagnetic spacer board, said non-ferromagnetic spacer board having a top side and a bottom side; a first magnet means provided at the top side of said non-ferromagnetic spacer board and rotatable relative to said non-ferromagnetic spacer board; a second magnet means provided at the bottom side of said non-ferromagnetic spacer board for producing a moment of force between said first magnet means and said second magnet means for causing rotation of said first magnet means with said second magnet means upon rotation of said second magnet means relative to said non-ferromagnetic spacer board; a rotary member provided at a top side of said first magnet means and rotatable with said first magnet means relative to said non-ferromagnetic spacer board; and a driving means adapted for rotating said second magnet means.
 2. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first magnet means is affixed to said rotary member by means of an embedding technique.
 3. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first magnet means is affixed to said rotary member by means of a plugging technique.
 4. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first magnet means is affixed to said rotary member with an adhesive.
 5. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-ferromagnetic spacer board is made of plastics, rubber or ceramics.
 6. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-ferromagnetic spacer board comprises two raised portions respectively protruded from the top and bottom sides thereof and respectively disposed in contact with said first magnet means and said second magnet means.
 7. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hollow base, said hollow base having a top side formed integral with said non-ferromagnetic spacer board.
 8. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rotary member is a fan blade.
 9. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rotary member is a rotary table.
 10. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means is an electric type driving means.
 11. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means is a non-electric type driving means.
 12. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a motor, a drive wheel coupled to and rotatable by said motor, a driven wheel carrying said second magnet means, and a transmission belt coupled between said drive wheel and said driven wheel for causing rotation of said driven wheel upon rotation of said drive wheel by said motor.
 13. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a motor.
 14. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means is a clockwork.
 15. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a see-through hollow shell covered on said non-ferromagnetic spacer board and defining with said non-ferromagnetic spacer board an enclosed space that accommodates said rotary member and said first magnet means.
 16. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 15, further comprising an ornament provided at a top side of said rotary member.
 17. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 16, wherein said ornament has at least one flow passage.
 18. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a pan covered on said hollow base and defining with said non-ferromagnetic spacer board a free-flow substance chamber, said pan having a plurality of perforations and a barrel that accommodates said rotary member and is disposed in communication with said at least one flow passage, and a free-flow substance contained in said free-flow substance chamber and is able to flow through said perforations and said at least one flow passage upon rotation of said rotary member.
 19. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 18, wherein said free-flow substance is selected from the group consisting of water, oil and fine sand.
 20. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 18, wherein said rotary member is a fan blade for causing an axial flow to drive said free-flow substance through said at least one flow passage.
 21. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 18, wherein said rotary member is a rotary table for causing an axial flow to spread said free-flow substance.
 22. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 21, wherein said rotary table has a plurality of radial ribs on a top side thereof.
 23. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first magnet means is a cylindrical magnet horizontally affixed to a bottom side of said rotary member; and said second magnet means is a cylindrical magnet horizontally fastened to said driving means.
 24. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first magnet means comprises a plurality of grain-like magnets affixed to a bottom side of said rotary member; and said second magnet means comprises a plurality of grain-like magnets fastened to said driving means.
 25. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 18, further comprising an axle bearing provided between said rotary member and said pan, and an axle supported in said axle bearing and inserted through said pan and connected between said rotary member and said ornament.
 26. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an axle bearing provided between said rotary member and said driven wheel of said driving means, and an axle supported in said axle bearing and connected between said rotary member and said driven wheel.
 27. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 15, wherein said see-through shell is made of a transparent material.
 28. The motion display toy as claimed in claim 1, said non-ferromagnetic spacer board is formed integral with a hollow base and covered with a see-through hollow shell, said hollow base accommodating said second magnet means and said driving means, said see-through hollow shell defining with said non-ferromagnetic spacer board an enclosed space that accommodates said first magnet means and said rotary member. 